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'What a shame': Dupont's masterclass leaves discontent over upcoming move

13 Jan 2024

Antoine Dupont of Toulouse on his way to scoring his side's fourth try during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 Round 3 match between Ulster and Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A masterclass performance from France superstar Antoine Dupont has left a hollow feeling for some as the realisation he won’t play in this year’s Six Nations.

The Toulouse No 9 took apart Ulster in a genius performance as the French club piled on the points to race ahead 41-10 through three quarters of the match.

A clinical set-piece play by Toulouse opened proceedings after a ripper pass from Dupont to the midfield and a deft chip kick for left wing Matthis Lebel.

It should be illegal to be as good as Dupont was tonight…and thankfully the Toulouse coaches have realised this by taking him off#ULSST #ThanksToulouse pic.twitter.com/JdXLWqZGxF
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) January 13, 2024

Dupont then offered an assist for Peato Mauvaka before scoring two himself as he clocked up 173 running metres with two line breaks.

The 27-year-old popped up everywhere, tormenting Ulster with his electric running game and vision. His offloads and support play created many chances and half-breaks for the visitors.

On a counter-attack in the backfield, Dupont was influential in setting up another try finding Lebel underneath with a switch play at the perfect time.

Quand t'as l'impression qu'ils ont mis le jeu en mode facile.
Le @StadeToulousain poursuit sa démonstration sous la conduite d'@Dupont9A ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/Bo2vbjy3JD
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 13, 2024

The stunning performance left some with discontent over his move to SVNS which will see him miss this year’s Six Nations in preparation for the Olympics.

Dupont is expected to make his SVNS debut in Vancouver in February after attending camps in January with the national side.

France will attempt to make up for a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023 without their star scrumhalf during the Six Nations.

Antoine Dupont exhibition here in Belfast.
Outrageous talent. What a shame we won’t see him in the Six Nations.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) January 13, 2024

Toulouse looking the best side in Europe in that 1st-Half by some distance.
So fluid, so powerful.
If they were just a little bit more clinical, the game would be over.
Dupont treating Ravenhill like his back garden.
— Stephen Wall (@StephenWall1985) January 13, 2024

As an Irishman, all I can say is that I'm glad Antoine Dupont is getting a much deserved break from the Six Nations this year.
He's deserves a rest – and should probably take Mauvaka and Jelonch on holiday with him too.#ULSST
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) January 13, 2024

Mauvaka and Dupont must be the best combination in the world. Both are absolutely ridiculous. Always seems to be on each other's shoulder#ULSvST #InvestecChampionsCup
— Adam Moursy (@adammoursy) January 13, 2024

Antoine Dupont is so good – He’s just a freak of rugby nature #ULSvTOU
— John Carmody (@techie_fan) January 13, 2024

Watch Dupont’s masterclass against Ulster below

– Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
– Antoine Dupont…
– Il est où ?
– Partout! Il est partout!
Sous le choc, les irlandais témoignent…@Dupont9A @StadeToulousain #DupontEverywhere #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/R9xaYUZipH
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 13, 2024

Comments

2 Comments

Jon 463 days ago

Sevens is where the money and the girls are….wait…

alan 463 days ago

Ridiculous!

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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JW 6 minutes ago

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This French tour is going to be the best, and possibly last (?) chance to blood some real new players for 2027. Those should be the names looked at, and the Breakdown groups selection are on the money.

Personally I’d like for me, make the most of this opportunity. On Narawa though I worry that it was a case that he had the complete game, but has now lost the advantage of his good boot, by moving into the centers. I think they’d want to do a bit more elsehwere or get that back.

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JW 13 minutes ago

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Chris929 13 minutes ago

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surely you missing the point.Since the last world cup there have been plenty of important 15s tournaments each year-WXVs, pacific four -all with trophies and ranking points on the line. Yet NZ feels they very insignificant in comparison to the world cup.the world cup demands all the 7s players become available etc. And some of the players committed to 15s will then be booted out temporarily for one tournament-I was just pointing out its a little harsh on those ladies. I dont get your point.

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JW 13 minutes ago

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They’ve played a heavy proportion of NZ derby games SC. I didn’t think they were including the Canes?

If you’re using your brain, you don’t really pay much attention to the first half of those two teams campaigns do you?

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JW 21 minutes ago

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We’re (many) trying to take the womens game out of that amateur mindset Chris.

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JW 24 minutes ago

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I don’t think it’s their fancy, NZR has come out saying it’s a case of their prerogative/desire to perform well on the biggest stage. I’d imagine you’ll find the money being offered was what swayed many of these decisions (which is somewhat in line for what has been called for for the womens game).

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Ed the Duck 37 minutes ago

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JW 45 minutes ago

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Jordie would be on for the last quarter.

But who would they need to be player catchup against? Aren’t we talking just to start the season, this July?

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JW 47 minutes ago

Former All Blacks on whether Jordie Barrett should be a guaranteed selection

I don’t see it as a higher level Miz (and more importantly neither will Razor), even the aussie sides are producing better a competition than the likes of Glasgow, but that’s not what they’re aruing (though they did mention that factor), theyre saying your perspective should be irrelevant, that it doesn’t matter how high profile he is or how well he’s playing. Unless I read your grammar wrong and that’s the point you’re trying to argue against.

Agree on you’re second point but then what is the point of conditioning Barrett so? There’s certainly an option to not select the other two 12’s in the team to promote some depth (obviously going against their argument) and work out a real selection/priority order before RC.

It will be funny when Rieko can finally have that same argument you’re presenting given as case for selection (where for a while now theres really been none other than his incumbency)!

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BH 50 minutes ago

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Oh I thought I was having an intelligent and mature conversation with you. You’re just an arrogant and biased troll. What a waste of time you are.

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Lisa Alexander 52 minutes ago

Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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JW 56 minutes ago

Former All Blacks on whether Jordie Barrett should be a guaranteed selection

I cracked up when Wheeler and Donald disparaged the northern competitions quality, a very pertinent point in this regards. But it only really matters if NZR have improved on their policies, with a sabbatical no longer meaning what it does/did, after the likes of Ardiea Savea last year and others before him showing that allowing someone to come straight back into the team after a lack of quality rugby is just too detrimental to AB performances. AB’s on sabbatical should need to do more than the incumbents (than they would have) back at home in Super Rugby, and currently Jordie is not doing that.

I would also bring him straight back into the team and give him the best possible opportunity as the 23 though. With Leinsters management of him and star studded team it sounds like he’s pretty fresh. His form, and fitness, over the next 6 or so weeks could change that either way. On previous protocol however, he is straight back in as the starting 12 against France.

Form and fitness at home will also play a factor, as will Razor’s past stubbornness to play anyone else in midfield. Of that group there is only ALB that could be considered as the other option to start in the jersey, but at least he’s one to have started the season in good form, though that it had been at center and more recently has been injured. Their are two other performers have shown much more of a case for having that jersey. but they would be brand new selections, while Havili has still not shown any improvement from past good seasons to suggest he can do more than ALB. It would take an extraordinary return to his first couple of breakout seasons to change that picture.

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Chris929 1 hour ago

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Personally I do think the additions of woodman and a few of the 7s team will improve the black ferns for the world cup and make them stronger title contenders-woodman is still a great player. My point was simply that in all the media fanfare of these players being picked, just spare a thought for the ladies who will now miss out on the big centre piece event,but will then be welcomed back again post world cup once the 7s players return to 7s.

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PM 1 hour ago

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If teams don’t try to gain an advantage at the ruck or other aspects of play they will be a remote second best. Glad to say Leinster will compete at the breakdown. If Ulster keep slagging leinster then maybe we’ll stop giving them our outcasts. (McGrath, Moore, Murphy, Timoney,Jones, Cooney< Jack Murphy and a few others.

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BC 1 hour ago

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe comes out of retirement to play at RWC 2025

I don’t think the Red Roses would want her in their